Litchfield County Thanksgiving Day football previews (and pick the winners)

TORRINGTON VS. WATERTOWN

• When: Thursday, 10 a.m.
• Where:  John J. Mills Complex at Watertown High School
• Series history: Tied 23-23-1
• Players to watch: Torrington: Connor Finn, So. QB; Desmond Langs, Sr. WR/DB; Ernie Tracy, Sr. DL; Nate Bresson WR. Watertown: AJ Catteno, Jr. QB; Anthony Yordon, Sr. RB/LB; Robert Ernst, Sr. DL.
• You should know:  Both teams come into the games this season struggling, with Torrington at 2-8 and Watertown at 1-9 and even though the Red Raiders have won the last six out of nine against the Indians this could be anyone’s game. The Indians will run the ball with running back Anthony Yordon who is close to breaking the 1,000-yard mark on the season and has six touchdowns. Torrington will try to run the ball early with Tyler Marens (8 total TDs) and Zack Mancini but if not they can turn to the passing game with Connor Finn who has thrown for 13 touchdowns this season, seven of which have gone to wide receiver Desmond Langs. The teams have alternated wins the last two meeting, Torrington won last year and six of the last nine.

GILBERT/NORTHWESTERN VS. HOUSATONIC/WAMOGO

• When: Thursday, 10 a.m.
• Where: Van Why Field at Gilbert High School
• Series history:  Gilbert/Northwestern leads 16-12
• Players to watch: Gilbert/Northwestern: Tony Ortiz, Sr. RB/DB; John Lippincott Sr. QB/DB; Ryan Ott Sr. LB; Seth Dayton WR/DB. Housatonic/Wamogo: Chance O’Neil, Jr. QB.
• You should know: This is the 29th meeting between the two teams in the Berkshire Bowl. Housatonic/Wamogo is coming off of five straight forfeited games, even though they have played sib-varsity games to keep its healthy players playing in games. The Yellowjackets on the other hand have already locked up a Class M playoff berth behind the strong running attack of Tony Ortiz, John Lippincott and Seth Dayton. Ortiz has had a memorable season rushing for 1,500-yards and 15 touchdowns and has added five receiving touchdowns. Their defense led by Ryan Ott have played well this season, keeping the Yellowjackets’ in games they have started slow. In past years the games have been close, but with the Mountaineers coming off five forfeits and the success the Yellowjackets have had this season this one is going to Gilbert/Northwestern.

WOLCOTT TECH VS. ABBOTT TECH

• When: Thursday, 10 a.m.
• Where: Stephen A. Kaplanis Field, Broadview MS
• Series history: Abbot Tech 1-0
• Players to watch: Wolcott Tech: Asante Maldon, Sr., RB/DB; Mike Ross, Jr. QB/DB; Kevin Crispin, Sr. RB/DE; Christian Berti, Sr. TE/DT; Dan Remeaka Jr. DE. Abbot Tech: Zach Ruscoe, Jr. QB; Delton Rodgers, Jr. RB/LB; Dominque Rogers, So. LB.
• You should know: This is the second season that Wolcott Tech and Abbott Tech are meeting for Thanksgiving. Last season Abbot Tech won on the road 28-8. The Wildcats come into the game at 1-8 and are led by Asante Maldon who has rushed for over 1,000 yards and quarterback Mike Ross who had added 600 more yards on the ground. Abbott Tech comes in at 3-7 and is led by Delton Rodgers who has rushed for 1,400 yards with touchdowns.

LEWIS MILLS VS. NONNEWAUG

• When: Thursday 10 a.m.
• Where: Lewis Mills High School
• Series history: Tied: 1-1
• Players to watch: Lewis Mills: Max Stone, Sr. RB; Domink Jankowski, Sr. WR. Nonnewaug: Jon Gombos, Jr. RB; Nick Uberti, Sr. RB.
• You should know: Lewis Mills got their own varsity program in 2010 and Nonnewaug only had a junior varsity team that season, so this will be the third matchup between the two schools. Lewis Mills won the first matchup and Nonnewaug the second. Both teams come into the game out of playoff contention, Nonnewaug is 3-7 and Lewis Mills is 2-7. Also went both teams play well they run the ball with, Jon Gombos and Nick Uberti for the Chiefs and Max Stone of the Spartans.

CANTON VS. GRANBY

• When: Wednesday 6:30 p.m.
• Where: Granby High School
• Series history: Canton leads 2-1
• Players to watch: Granby: Curtis Field, Sr. QB; Dominic Pagano, So. RB; Ian Downey, Sr. WR; Connor Field, So. RB. Canton: Eric Scott, Sr. QB; Terrance Brophy, Sr. RB.
• You should know: This is only the fourth meeting between the two schools and third on Thanksgiving. Though Canton leads the series history, they have split the two games on Thanksgiving, both teams winning on their home fields. Both the Bears and Warriors bring in strong running attacks with Dominic Pagano (738-yards and six touchdowns) for Granby and Terrance Brophy for the Warriors.